The threat by the Australian Defence Force to bulldoze part of Fort Direction hits the headlines and the public wonders which way to turn. The cannons of public opinion can fire quite loudly, but what action will save the heritage values of this historic site?
It’s not that old really, being built during World War II, along with Fort Pierson across the mouth of the river at Tinderbox. Together they covered the shipping that came to and from Hobart and remained vigilant for any invasion force that might arrive at the River Derwent. The defences around southern Tasmania were quite extensive, including concrete bunkers, as with the survivor that can be seen at the northern end of Roches Beach at Lauderdale.
The real heritage value of Fort Direction is not it’s stand-alone significance, but as part of the story of the defences of Hobart, forts and batteries that are scattered around the River Derwent and date from the founding of Hobart at Sullivan’s Cove in 1804 and flow through time to 1944, when Hobart ceased to be a defended port.
When I made a study of the defences of Hobart in 2006, I came to see a fascinating picture of history covering 140 years and wondered about the tourist potential, whether a tour of the forts and batteries could be marketable internationally, especially considering Hobart’s significance as an historic port and outpost of the British Empire. If the Fort Direction demolitions were to be prevented, its intact heritage could have greater value for the Tasmanian community and tourism.
Could the Tasmanian Government form an authority to manage and promote the defences of Hobart, which could then also manage Fort Direction for the benefit of the Tasmanian community and tourist industry. After all, Hobart officially ceased to be a defended port in 1944, so what is the Army still doing there?
After the Kangaroo Bluff Battery survived a 1950s proposal by the Clarence Council to use the site for a sewage treatment plant, it nearly fell to Army bull-dozers for a CMF parade ground in the 1960s. The 1880s Bellerive Fort is the best preserved and most interesting of all the defences, but its value is much greater when viewed in the context of the story of all the defences of Hobart as a whole.
Would the way to save Fort Direction be for those who are keenly interested in the history and heritage values of the Defences of Hobart to organize a tour of the Defences, led by people who know the stories and float this event internationally to see who would like to participate? There could be members of RSL Clubs around Australia who care about this history and would like to be involved.
If such a tour happened by coach and ferry, it could culminate at Fort Direction, where salvos of public opinion could be fired upon this Army owned and managed site and when the dust settles, the solution may be obvious.
An information kit could be made for the tour, with all the best bits of information and stories about the defences, including the 1880s submarine that once formed part of the Defences of Hobart and the only known death from any of the guns. A web site could put out the welcome mat for people with a thirst for this history, to come to Hobart and discover the crazy and unique stories that Tasmania holds.
If there turns out to be a gathering of interest from far and wide in this tour, then the challenge will be to meet the demand, protect the product and improve the presentation.
The obvious outcome for Fort Direction may no longer be in a demolition derby.
Background Information
ARMY HOLIDAYS CANCELLED
The facts about what is proposed for demolition at Fort Direction and why, are hard to come by. Claims flying through public comments in the media that subdivision and sale are on the cards gain some credence when the web site of the Army Amenity Fund is examined and a message is seen that reads, “The lease on these properties will not be renewed after October 2010.”
http://www.armyholidays.com.au/TAS/Fort-Direction
The properties in question are two holiday homes at Fort Direction that have been available for defence personnel wishing to take their family on a holiday.
ENVIRONMENT & HERITAGE CREDENTIALS
The Army is to be commended for their environmental and heritage efforts at Fort Direction, with the security team their winning the inaugural Environment and Heritage Award in 2005. In addition to their duties guarding the explosives stored at Fort Direction, the 13 strong security guard removed feral cats, which allowed wildlife to return to the area, including the little penguin, undertook an community education program about the control of dogs, removed weeds and in the process found a rare and threatened orchid, the Large Gnat Orchid, which is no larger than a thumb nail.
http://www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine/editions/200609/groups/dsg2.htm
LONE PINE MEMORIAL
Nestled out on the headland at Fort Direction is the Lone Pine Memorial. “The Lone Pine Memorial commemorates soldiers from World Wars 1 and 11. On top of one of the columns is a map of the Gallipoli landing area. On the other columns are names of the soldiers who died.” Department of Education.
http://www.southarm.tased.edu.au/south_arm_history.htm
CALL TO ARMS
After sending a message about the suggestion of a tour of the Defences of Hobart to 13 parties who may be interested, including the Lord Mayor of Hobart, some replies have been received, including from:
Colin Denny, President, Maritime Museum of Tasmania
“The Maritime Museum obviously supports the retention of important historical objects and sites – we are not fully aware of the proposals at Fort Direction but the military historians are looking into the issue. With respect to tours we are always able to join in tours or events that have an interest in our maritime history.”
Alderman Jock Campbell, the Mayor of Clarence
“As you will be aware, State laws cannot bind the Commonwealth, which is generally free to do as it sees fit on land it owns. Therefore Council is not in a position to apply the provisions of of the Clarence Planning Scheme 2007. Notwithstanding the above, demolition of building is exempt from requiring planning approval in this instance. You may wish to contact Franklin MP Julie Collins, who may be able to offer further information and assistance regarding any future plans and timing. I wish you every success in your future tourism endeavours.”
Will Hodgman MP, Leader of the Opposition in Tasmania
“As you may be aware, my colleague, Senator David Bushby has been vigorously pursuing this issue on behalf of many concerned Tasmanians. In recent days, my office has spoken to Senator Bushby’s office to seek an update on this issue and have been informed that the Senator has made representations to the Department of Defence as well as the Minister’s office, the Hon. Stephen Smith, MHA. I assure you I will continue to work with my Federal colleague and the local community to ensure Tasmania’s military heritage isn’t lost.”
On behalf of the Premier of Tasmania, David Bartlett MP
“The concerns you raised are the responsibility of the Commonwealth Government. The Premier has therefore advised that you may wish to redirect your comments concerning this issue to the Commonwealth Minister for Defence.”
The Hon Stephen Smith MP
Minister for Defence
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra
ACT 2600
First published: 2011-01-17 04:03 AM
Friday, February 25: SENATOR DAVID BUSHBY Liberal Senator for Tasmania, Chair of the Coalition Economics Policy Committee
Defence admits Fort Direction mistake
Following questioning at Senate Estimates last night by Tasmanian Liberal Senator David Bushby, the Defence Department admitted the Government work order to demolish 42 buildings at Fort Direction was a “mistake” and that it would not proceed with any demolition on site without full prior public community consultation.
Senator Bushby has been involved in a fight, together with South Arm residents (including current and former military personnel), to ensure proper protection of the military and archaeological heritage at the iconic Southern Tasmanian military landmark – Fort Direction.
“I have been pursuing the Government and Defence Department to come clean over what clearly appeared to be potentially damaging work planned for heritage structures and sites at Fort Direction,” Senator Bushby said.
During last night’s questioning Senator Bushby asked Departmental officials about a work order which described the demolition of 42 structures planned to occur in the December 10 / January 11 period and a comment that any demolition at Fort Direction will result in a very emotive response from locals and possibly the Clarence City Council.
“The Department was quite clear that the order did exist but said that the included reference to ‘demolition’ was a mistake and that the order was withdrawn one month later,” Senator Bushby said.
“I find it hard to understand how a work order, the primary focus of which was stated as the demolition of 42 structures, considered the risk of public emotive responses to that demolition and stated that contracts were to be let for that purpose in 2 to 3 weeks, could have any intention or purpose other than the demolition of structures. Claims that the mistake amounted to only the inclusion of an inadvertent reference to ‘demolition’, seem non-sensical.
“It seems to me more likely that the decision was made to proceed, but that the political consequences were identified somewhere down the chain, possibly in light of the public exposure of the issue and acknowledgment then made that the decision was a ‘mistake’.
“Despite this, I am glad to see the resulting pressure over the demolition order has now ensured the Government will not proceed to demolish any structures without first undertaking full and proper community consultation and a proper heritage assessment of the site to gain a full understanding of what may be lost.”
Senator Bushby said he had also recently received permission from the Minister for Defence to inspect the heritage sites under risk at Fort Direction and would be organising an inspection with the Department of Defence in the near future.
